AFAF campaign begins Monday

The Robins Air Force Base 2016 Air Force Assistance Fund campaign begins Monday and runs through May 5.

This year’s six-week campaign includes an installation goal of $75,522, with the theme of “Airmen Helping Airmen.”

The annual effort raises funds to provide support throughout the Air Force family, to include assistance with emergency needs, education, or to secure a retirement home for widows or widowers of Air Force members in need of financial aid.

“This is one of the rare opportunities to directly help our members. You can see your donations at work in your unit,” said Master Sgt. Jason Clark, AFAF installation project officer. “It’s a great program, and one I believe in.”

As a flight chief with the 78th Security Forces Squadron, Clark is all about looking out for those around him, to include a team of over 150 military and civilian members.

“Our job is about taking care of people: people always,” he said. “It’s what we’ve got to do for our deployed and those put in difficult spots. We are going to need everyone’s help to reach our goal… and our goal is to help people.”

A kickoff event will begin at 8 a.m. Monday at the Main Fitness Center.

During the next several weeks, unit project officers will be making 100 percent contact throughout the installation, to include nearly 5,000 Reserve, Guard and active duty personnel at Robins. They will be available to answer additional information about the charities, answer questions and offer the opportunity to contribute to this year’s campaign.

AFAF affiliate charities, which support active duty, retirees, Reserve, Guard and dependents, include the Air Force Aid Society, which provides millions of dollars in direct assistance to Air Force members and their families. That includes emergency assistance, to include interest-free loans, grants and other means of assistance; millions in education programs, such as merit scholarships, education grants for children and spouses, and loans and youth employment skills; and also provides money to community programs, including child care, readiness and spouse and parenting programs.

The Gen. and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation awards grants to enlisted and officer retirees’ surviving spouses; the Air Force Enlisted Village provides assistance in the form of a home in a safe, dignified and caring community; and the Air Force Villages Charitable Foundation/Blue Skies of Texas, cares for widowed spouses.

Retirees or civilians who would like to contribute may contact your organization’s unit project officers for more information.